Golly, there was some debate on blogs and message boards over the past few days about important events in the world and now i'm going to chip in!

First up - Lily Allen... I must admit I was deeply sceptical when i first saw Lily Allen being interviewed on tv. Sure it was nice to see a young female singer who wasn't trying to be either Slaggy Aggy or one of the pouting blonde girl group clones. But i wasn't convinced that the music would live up to the hype. What a surprise then to discover LDN (mp3) ~ its a proper summer single that sounds like it was concocted (LOVE that word) in a haze of yellow pollen and metropolitan exhaust fumes. And how delightful that the album lives up to that infectious witty first outing - especially the insanely catchy Alfie which contains my favourite use of the word twat since Brian Kinney said "I'd rather have my tongue superglued to a lesbians twat" on the US Queer as Folk...
MP3: Alfie

Next - Paolo Nutini... confession time. I like James "lets be" blunt. Despite the enormous backlash, i still love Back to Bedlam and still think not releasing 'Tears and Rain' as a single was a big mistake. And of course, everyone and their rejected husband is now on the weepy bloke singer trail. But young Paolo seems to be a little different - face of a benetton model, voice of a 50 year old soak. His debut album showcases a talent for elegant, melodic songwriting and an admirable willingness to vary the tempo, which is why 70s soul pop of New Shoes and Stones like swagger of Jenny Don't Be Hasty sit comfortably along the gorgeous string drenched single Last Request (mp3). Just lovely and i don't care if its a guilty pleasure :)
MP3: Jenny Don't Be Hasty (live)

The Recantation - i've been mean to keane. And i still am ambivilent about Is It Any Wonder, but actually their new album is quite ok. I did a scientific study and apparently i like it 71.2% as much as i liked the debut. Which was a lot. Its an elegant collection of songs that shows a maturity in song writing (chorus to Crystal Ball notwithstanding) and the balls to take a few risks with an album that would have sold by the bucket load if they had just released a carbon copy of Hopes and Fears. So Keane, I'm sure you are reading this and dying for my opinion. I'm sorry. Its not the pile of plop i anticipated. Now get back in the studio and write some more gorgeous b-sides...

Other bits and bobs:
Have you ever walked in a club just as a song started playing so you decide its the soundtrack to your entrance? no? Just me and ruthiepoos on saturday night when One Way Or Another started blasting out and we sashayed down the steps to it. Probably looking a right couple of tits. No wonder darren hobbled ahead. Great song of course and here are a couple of covers:
MP3: Mandy Moore - OWOA
MP3: Sophie Ellis Bextor - OWOA

And! Check out this great message board - someone has posted links to almost every kylie bside, rare track and unreleased songs ever recorded! You have to register but trust me its well worth it!